Reusable Playable Rigid Packages

ABSTRACT

The disclosed principles provide for a new and unique reusable rigid package configured to provide a container for holding, for example, food products, as well as to provide a playable structure for consumers, such as children, to play with during or after consumption of the food product. In addition, multiple playable packages as disclosed herein may be collected and combined together, for example, end-to-end, into a larger toy such as train of cars, busses, railway cars or any other vehicle shape. Disposable or reusable covers, either rigid or soft, may also be provided with each such disclosed rigid package. Furthermore, each disclosed package is configured to be stacked, one at least partially received within the other, for efficient stacked storage of multiple packages.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to snack packages, and in particular toreusable rigid packages that are also usable for play by children.

BACKGROUND

Various container and package designs have been used in the past tocontain and display snack food products. Among the many existing snackcontainers and packages, some have been comprised of rigid materials forsafely holding different types of snack products in a single package. Inaddition, conventional snack packages have included downwardly formedcompartments for holding various snack products, where thosecompartments are downwardly formed from an upper flat surface of therigid container. Flexible film is then laid across this upper flatsurface to provide a seal for the snacks held in the downwardly formedcompartments.

Unfortunately, such conventional downwardly formed rigid snack packagessuffer several disadvantages. For example, most downwardly formed rigidpackaging hides the product held inside from view of the consumer whendisplayed on a retailer's shelf. Also, the downward formation in suchconventional rigid packages is typically generic and nondescript. Thus,the opaque and generic nature of such conventional rigid packagesprovides no incentive for consumer to purchase the snack products heldinside. Moreover, most rigid snack packages are intended to be disposedof after consumption of the product inside is complete. Since theforming of rigid snack packages is more costly as compared toconventionally formed soft snack packages, the intended disposal ofrigid packaging is a costly waste. Such waste not only is a productioncost typically needing offset by retail pricing, but the consistentdisposing of rigid packaging takes a toll on the environment if notrecycled.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved downwardly formed rigidpackage for holding food products that does not suffer from these andother deficiencies found in conventional packages. The disclosedprinciples provide such improved package.

SUMMARY

To overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the disclosed principlesprovide for a new and unique reusable rigid package configured toprovide a container for holding, for example, food products, as well asto provide a playable structure for consumers, such as children, to playwith during or after consumption of the food product. In addition,multiple playable packages as disclosed herein may be collected andcombined together, for example, end-to-end, into a larger toy such astrain of cars, busses, or railway cars. Furthermore, each disclosedpackage is configured to be stacked, one at least partially receivedwithin the other, for efficient stacked storage of multiple packages.

In one exemplary embodiment, a reusable rigid playable package inaccordance with the disclosed principles comprises a downwardly formedcompartment having a front endwall and a rear endwall, and at least twosidewalls connecting the front and rear endwalls. The compartment may beconfigured to receive one or more products therein via an opening at atop of the compartment. Also, a flange may be formed at the top of thecompartment and around the opening, wherein the flange is configured toreceive a sealable cover thereon. Such a cover may be comprised of athin film sealed onto the flange that may be peelable from the flange,or may be comprised of a rigid cover clipped or even sealed onto theflange that may either be removed from the flange and discarded or beconfigured for reuse/reclosure with the package at a later time.

Such an exemplary embodiment of a rigid package may also include a firstconnecting feature located at a front portion of the flange, as well asa second connecting feature located at a rear portion of the flange. Insuch embodiments, a first connecting feature of a first package may beshaped and configured to interconnect with a second connecting featureof a second package. For example, the first connecting features may becomprised of a hole formed in the flange, while the second connectingfeature may comprise posts formed in the flanges and configured to beremovably received in to corresponding holes. A decorative feature mayalso formed into the front endwall of the compartment to make the rigidpackage playable for children, such as a smiley face or even features ofthe front of a vehicle of any type.

Additionally, in such exemplary embodiments, the reusable playable rigidpackages as disclosed herein may also include one or more stacking stopsformed into one or more of the sidewalls of the compartment. In suchembodiments, the one or more stacking stops may be configured to contacta portion of a second package when a bottom portion of a first packageis placed within the compartment of the second package to therebymaintain a predetermined position within the second package. Also, suchexemplary packages may also include standing features formed in a bottomportion of the compartment and downwardly extending therefrom. Suchstanding features may be configured to hold the package upright suchthat the opening is positioned at the top of the package. Moreover, thestanding features may also be shaped and configured to assist inmaintaining a position of one package with respect to another package asmultiple packages as stacked in the manner discussed above.

In other, more specific exemplary embodiments, a reusable rigid packageaccording to disclosed principles may have a vehicle shape, such as theshape of a bus, car, or railway car. In such embodiments, thevehicle-shaped package may comprise a compartment downwardly formed in asingle unitary structure, and having a front endwall and a rear endwall,and at least two sidewalls connecting the front and rear endwalls. Inaddition, such packages may have the compartment formed having adownwardly tapered shape of the front and second endwalls and the firstand second sidewalls. As before, the compartment may be configured toreceive one or more products, such food products, therein via an openingat a top of the compartment.

Also, such exemplary vehicle-shaped packages may include a flange formedat the top of the compartment and around the opening, where the flangecomprises part of the unitary structure of the compartment and isconfigured to receive a cover sealable thereon. As before, such a covermay be comprised of a thin film sealed onto the flange that may bepeelable from the flange, or may be comprised of a rigid cover clippedor even sealed onto the flange that may either be removed from theflange and discarded or be configured for reuse/reclosure with thepackage. Also as before, in such embodiments a first connecting featureof a first package may be shaped and configured to interconnect with asecond connecting feature of a second package. For example, the firstconnecting features may be comprised of a hole formed in the flange,while the second connecting feature may comprise posts formed in theflanges and configured to be removably received in to correspondingholes. A decorative feature, such as a smiley face, may also formed intothe front endwall of the compartment to make the rigid package playablefor children.

Furthermore, in such embodiments the reusable vehicle-shaped rigidpackages as disclosed herein may also include one or more stacking stopsformed into one or more of the sidewalls of the compartment. In suchembodiments, the one or more stacking stops each comprising a sidewindow shape formed in one or more of the sidewalls of the compartmentand extending outwardly therefrom. The one or more side window shapeseach may comprise a bottom surface configured to contact a flange of asecond package when a bottom portion of a first package is placed withinthe compartment of the second package to thereby maintain apredetermined position within the second package. Also, such exemplarypackages may also include a plurality of wheel shapes formed in a bottomportion of the compartment and downwardly extending therefrom. Theseplurality of wheel shapes comprise standing features configured to holdthe package upright such that the opening is positioned at the top ofthe package. Moreover, as before, the plurality of wheel shapes may alsobe configured to assist in maintaining a position of one package withrespect to another package as multiple packages as stacked in the mannerdiscussed above.

Numerous embodiments and advantages associated with each such embodimentare discussed in further detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description that follows, by way of non-limiting examplesof embodiments, makes reference to the noted drawings in which referencenumerals represent the same parts throughout the several views of thedrawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a reusable andplayable rigid package manufactured in accordance with the disclosedprinciples;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of the reusablerigid package illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the reusable rigidpackage illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of multiple rigid packages constructed inaccordance with the disclosed principles vertically stacked;

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a plurality of playable rigidpackages aligned end-to-end in a train structure;

The above-referenced figures are provided herein for the purpose ofillustration and description only, and are not intended to define thelimits of the disclosed invention. Use of the same reference number inmultiple figures is intended to designate the same or similar parts.Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,”“lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,”“vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understoodthat these terms have reference only to the structure shown in thedrawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the particularembodiment. The extension of the figures with respect to number,position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form thepreferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill ofthe art after the following teachings of the present invention have beenread and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In view of the foregoing, through one or more various aspects,embodiments and/or specific features, the present disclosure is intendedto bring out one or more of the advantages that will be evident from thedescription. The present disclosure makes reference to one or morespecific embodiments by way of illustration and example. It isunderstood, therefore, that the terminology, examples, drawings andembodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe disclosure.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combinationof features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or anygeneralization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of theproblems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulatedduring prosecution of this application (or an application claimingpriority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular,with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claimsmay be combined with those of the independent claims and features fromrespective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate mannerand not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appendedclaims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a reusable andplayable rigid package 100 manufactured in accordance with the disclosedprinciples. The term “package” is used herein to generally refer to adevice that may be used to carry or otherwise house one or moreproducts, such as food products. Other similar terms, such as “tray,”are included within the broader term “package.” In advantageousembodiments, the rigid package 100 comprises a compartment 110 forholding product therein, such as snack products, where the compartment110 is downwardly formed from a top flange 120.

The downwardly formed compartment 110 in the illustrated embodiment isformed into a visually appealing structure. The front end or endwall ofthe package 100 of FIG. 1 is shown formed into a “smiley face” 110. Ofcourse, other types of faces or even other visually appealing decorativefeatures or structures may be formed on the front of the rigid package100. For example, in embodiments where the rigid package is formed intothe shape of a type of vehicle, such as bus, car, or railway car, thedecorative feature may be comprised of structural features typicallyfound on any such vehicles. Additionally, the rear end or endwall of aplayable package as disclosed herein may also include one or moredecorative features formed therein. The visually appealing decorativefeatures or structures formed on the surfaces of the package 100 is/aredesigned and formed so as to be appealing to potential consumers of theproduct sold within the package 100. Moreover, the visually appealingfeatures or structures formed on the surfaces of the package 100 may bestatic as in the illustrated embodiment, or may include one or moremoving components formed on the package 100.

Also shown from the front view of FIG. 1 is the tapered formed of therigid package 100. Specifically, in embodiments where the package 100 isformed of a plastic material, a thermoforming technique may be used tomold the shape of the rigid package 100. In such thermoplasticconstructions of the package 100, a downwardly tapered structure allowseasier removal of the rigid package 100 from a thermoforming mold. Thetapered structure starts from the top flange 120 and narrows the widthof the package 100 as the taper moves downward to the bottom of thecompartment 130. In addition, the tapered structure allows the stackingof multiple such packages 100 by receiving a bottom portion of onepackage into the downwardly formed compartment of a second package.Further stacking advantages provided by a playable rigid package 100constructed as disclosed herein are discussed below.

Material for playable rigid packages formed as disclosed herein may beselected from variety of available materials, either now existing orlater developed. In addition, package materials may be selected to besafe for use in the packaging of food products in those embodiments,where food products are to be held within the package. Exemplarymaterials include, but are not limited to, PP (polypropylene),PE(polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate),PET-G (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Of course, other suitable materialsfor both thermoforming and injection molding processes, or any othersuitable formation processes, may also be employed.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of the reusablerigid package 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The decorative structure on thefront end of the package 100 may again be seen in this figure, which inthis embodiment is again a “smiley face” 110. In addition, thisisometric view reveals a right side of the rigid package 100.

Formed on the right side are a pair of simulated “wheels” 210 a, 210 b(collectively, 210). The wheels 210 are formed in a downward directionfrom the sides of the package 100, and extend just past the bottom-mostportion of the compartment 210. By forming the wheels 210 to thisdownward distance, the wheels 210 (four total in this embodiment of thepackage 100) may be used to stand the package 100 upright, asillustrated. In this embodiment, the package 100 is formed to resemble atrain car having the four wheels 210. As such, the rigid package 100itself can be played with by consumers a toy train. In otherembodiments, a playable, reusable rigid package designed and constructedin accordance with the disclosed principles may be formed into otherplayable toy shapes, such a bus. In addition, such disclosed playablepackages may also be formed in any of a variety of colors. Thus,consumers can collect multiple such packages, each with a distinctcolor.

As discussed above, multiple packages, such as the package 100 of FIG.2, may be stacked by placing a bottom portion of one package into thecompartment 130 of another similar package. Since the disclosed packagesare rigid, they may be cleaned and reused as packages for otherproducts, in addition to be useable as play things. Thus, for assistingwith storage of such multiple packages 100, the packages 100 may bestacked to save storage space. In some embodiments, the downwardlyformed wheels 210 can be sized and configured such that the bottoms ofthe wheels 210 of an upper package 100 contact the tops of the formedwheel-wells of another, lower package to hold the upper package at apredetermined distance. In some such embodiments, a space within thecompartment 130 of the lower package may remain and be used to holdproduct therein and protect that product from being crushed by thestacking of the upper package.

Also illustrated in FIG. 2, simulated side windows 220 a, 220 b(collectively, 220) may also be formed outwardly from the sides of therigid package 100. As with other structural features of playable rigidpackages constructed as disclosed herein, the side windows 220 may alsobe formed using a thermoforming technique; however, other formingtechniques may also be employed. These outwardly formed features 220 mayalso be formed as a different type of feature other than side windows inembodiments where with the package 100 is formed into a differentplayable form. Additionally, the outside bottom edge of the outwardlyformed side windows 220 can be sized and configured to contact the topedge or surface of a second rigid package, again when stacking multiplepackages, to hold the upper package at a predetermined distance from alower package. As before, this can protect the snack products heldwithin the lower package when stacking a package on top of it.

In some embodiments, the side windows 220 may be formed as a transparentor semi-transparent material, as compared to the opaque material thatmay be used to form the remainder of the rigid package 100. In suchembodiments, the side windows 220 then provide the additional utility orfunction of allowing consumers to view the product held inside thecompartment 130 of the package 100. This advantage in such embodimentsis particularly useful to view the product when the package 100 is stillsealed, such as at a retail store. Of course, in other embodiments theside windows 220 may also be formed of the same opaque material as theremainder of the package 100.

Also illustrated in the isometric view of FIG. 2 is the top flange 120of the rigid package 100. The top flange 120 may be formed into a singleuniform horizontal surface configured to receive a cover thereon. Forexample, a thin film, suitable for food products, may be sealed down onand along the top flange 120 to provide a hermetic, peelable seal forthe package 100. For example, plastic materials, such as polyester orpolypropylene may be used to form the film used to seal the top surfaceof the package 100 along the top flange 120. Moreover, the thin film maybe a multilayer material, suitable for both food packaging as well asfor receiving ink on its exterior for package labeling. Of course, othersuitable materials may also be employed as the flexible thin film.Moreover, any of a number of techniques may be employed to seal such athin film onto the top flange 120 of a package 100 constructed asdisclosed herein.

In some embodiments, a more rigid cover may be employed to cover andseal the package 100. Also, in some embodiments, the film or other covermay be configured to be resealable, or even simply recloseable, onto thetop flange 120 of the package 100. Such resealing may be provided via areusable adhesive, and simple reclosing may be provided via snap fittinga cover onto the package 100. Also illustrated on the top flange 120 ofthe package 100 of FIG. 2 are hole 230 formed proximate to the front endof the package 100, and a post 240 formed proximate to its rear end. Theutility of these hole 230 and post 240 are discussed in detail below.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a side view of the embodiment ofthe reusable rigid package 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. From thisview, the overall tapered structure of the rigid package 100 is furtherpresented. Specifically, the front view of FIG. 1 illustrated theside-to-side downward taper of the package 100, while FIG. 3 illustratesthe similar taper front-to-back of the package 100. As discussed above,such an overall taper allows for easier removal of the package 100 froma thermoplastic or other molding-based technique. In addition, thetapered structure allows for easier stacking of multiple similarpackages, as also discussed above.

FIG. 3 also further illustrates the downwardly formed post 240 locatedat the “rear” of the package 100. Use of the post 240 formed on suchpackages 100 is described in detail below. Additionally, two of theformed wheels 210 may also be seen, as well as one of the side windows220 a. Also visible from this side view are additional decorativestructural features formed on the side of the package 100, which providemore realism to the package 100 which in turn adds to its attractivenessas a playable toy to children.

Looking now at FIG. 4, illustrated is a side view of multiple rigidpackages constructed in accordance with the disclosed principlesvertically stacked. Specifically, first, second and third packages 100,200, 300 are shown vertically stacked one partially received withinanother. In this embodiment of the rigid packages 100, 200, 300, thedepth each of the second and third packages 200, 300 are received withinthe package immediately below it is regulated by the side window formedin the second and third packages 200, 300. In this respect, the outsidebottom edge of the outwardly formed side window in the second package200 is sized and configured to contact the top edge or surface of thefirst package 100, and the outside bottom edge of the side window of thethird package 300 is sized and configured to contact the top edge orsurface of the second package 200, to hold an upper package at apredetermined distance from a lower package when the multiple packagesare stacked as illustrated. This structural feature on each package 100,200, 300 may not only allow for uniform vertical stacking of multiplepackages, but also allows for protection of any products held within alower package when stacking a package on top of it. In otherembodiments, as discussed above, the downwardly formed wheels of anupper package may be configured to contact the upper surface of thewheels formed in a lower package as the packages are stacked one withinthe other.

Referring finally to FIG. 5, illustrated is an isometric view of aplurality of playable rigid packages aligned end-to-end in a trainstructure 500. More specifically, four separate playable packages 100,200, 300, 400 are illustrated in this figure. Moreover, the first,second and third packages 100, 200, 300 are illustrated as connectedend-to-end to form a type of train for children to play with, while thefourth package 400 is shown being moved downwardly to connect to, andthereby further extend, the playable train formed by the first threepackages. The connection of multiple packages into such a trainstructure is accomplished by the downwardly formed post on the topflange at an end of one package (e.g., the rear end of the package)being placed within the hole formed in the top flange on the opposingend of the packages, and repeating such connection for each package. Assuch, multiple playable vehicle-shaped packages as disclosed herein maybe collected and combined together end-to-end into a larger toy such astrain of cars, busses, or railway cars. While the illustrated embodimentshows the holes formed at the front end of the packages and thus theposts at the rear end, in other embodiments the locations of the holesand posts may be reversed.

By providing an inviting and playable structure to each rigid package asdisclosed herein, the disclosed principles provide a unique packagestructure that is usable for both holding food or other types ofproducts, and as a toy for children to play with. The playable nature ofthe package structure may, for example, hold a child's attention duringconsumption of the food product therein, where a plain, simple foodpackage may not keep the child's interest long enough to finish the foodproduct held therein. Such a feature of the disclosed packages isespecially useful in situations where multiple children are present,such as at lunchtime during school, where the distraction of otherchildren being present may result in a child losing focus on finishingtheir food and instead focusing on playing with other nearby children.Accordingly, a child given a package as disclosed herein with their foodheld inside will be encouraged to play with such a package and thus bemore likely to finish their food since it would remain within their areaof focus while playing with the package. Additionally, even after thechild has finished the food held in the package, the playability of thedisclosed package encourage children to stay in their immediate area asthey can continue playing with their package. Still further, theplayability of the package provides the child a new toy, even insituations where the child is permitted to leave the area and playwherever he or she likes. The structural features in the disclosedpackages that allow multiple disclosed packages to be combined into atrain of packages even further enhances the playability of the train ofpackages to children.

The foregoing description has made reference to several exemplaryembodiments. It is understood, however, that the words that have beenused are for description and illustration, rather than words oflimitation. Thus, the present embodiments are therefore to be consideredin all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Changes may be madewithin the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and asamended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosurein all its aspects. All changes which come within the meaning and rangeof equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein. Although this description makes reference to particular means,materials and embodiments, the disclosure is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather, the disclosure extends to allfunctionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses suchas are within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the recitationof any method steps does not denote a particular sequence for executionof the steps. Such method steps may therefore be performed in a sequenceother than recited unless the particular claim expressly statesotherwise.

In the numerous embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosedherein, such embodiments may be referred to herein, individually and/orcollectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and withoutintending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to anysingle invention or inventive concept if more than one is in factdisclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangementcalculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for thespecific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any andall adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations ofthe above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically describedherein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing theabove description.

Moreover, the Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b),requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertainthe nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect,inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a singledisclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

1. A reusable rigid package, comprising: a downwardly formed compartmenthaving a front endwall and a rear endwall, and at least two sidewallsconnecting the front and rear endwalls, the compartment configured toreceive one or more products therein via an opening at a top of thecompartment; a flange formed at the top of the compartment and aroundthe opening, the flange comprising an entirely flat horizontal surfaceoutwardly extending from the top of the compartment and sized to receivea flexible film cover sealable thereon; a first connecting featureformed in a front portion of the flange; a second connecting featureformed in a rear portion of the flange, wherein a first connectingfeature of the package is shaped to interconnect with a secondconnecting feature of a second package; a decorative feature formed intothe front endwall of the compartment; one or more stacking stopsoutwardly formed from one or more of the sidewalls of the compartment,the one or more stacking stops sized such that a bottommost surface isconfigured to contact a top of the flange of a second package when abottom portion of the package is placed within the compartment of thesecond package to thereby maintain a predetermined position within butabove a bottommost surface of the compartment of the second package; andstanding features formed in a bottom portion of the compartment anddownwardly extending therefrom, the standing features configured to holdthe package upright such that the opening is positioned at the top ofthe package.
 2. A reusable rigid package according to claim 1, whereinthe first connecting feature is a hole and the second connecting featureis a post downwardly formed from the rear portion of the flange.
 3. Areusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the one or morestacking stops comprise one or more side window shapes formed in one ormore of the sidewalls of the compartment and extending outwardlytherefrom.
 4. (canceled)
 5. A reusable rigid package according to claim1, wherein the standing features comprise a plurality of wheel shapesdownwardly formed from the bottom of the compartment.
 6. (canceled)
 7. Areusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the compartment isformed in a single, unitary structure.
 8. A reusable rigid packageaccording to claim 7, wherein the compartment comprises thermoformedplastic.
 9. A reusable rigid package according to claim 8, wherein thethermoformed plastic compartment comprises a downwardly tapered shape ofthe front and second endwalls and the first and second sidewalls.
 10. Areusable rigid package according to claim 8, wherein the thermoformedplastic is selected from the group consisting of: PP (polypropylene), PE(polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate),PET-G (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).
 11. A reusable rigid packageaccording to claim 1, wherein the compartment, one or more stackingstops and standing features are formed in a single unitary piece.
 12. Areusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the decorativefeature comprises a smiley face shape.
 13. A reusable rigid packageaccording to claim 1, further comprising one or more additionaldecorative features formed into one or more of the sidewalls of thecompartment.
 14. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package, comprising:compartment downwardly formed in a single unitary structure, and havinga front endwall and a rear endwall, and at least two sidewallsconnecting the front and rear endwalls, the compartment having adownwardly tapered shape of the front and second endwalls and the firstand second sidewalls, and configured to receive one or more productstherein via an opening at a top of the compartment; a flange formed atthe top of the compartment and around the opening, the flange comprisingpart of the unitary structure of the compartment and comprising anentirely flat horizontal surface outwardly extending from the top of thecompartment and sized to receive a flexible film cover sealable thereon;a first connecting feature formed in a front portion of the flange; asecond connecting feature formed in a rear portion of the flange,wherein a first connecting feature of the package is shaped tointerconnect with a second connecting feature of a second package; adecorative feature formed into the front endwall of the compartment; oneor more stacking stops each comprising a side window shape formed in oneor more of the sidewalls of the compartment and extending outwardlytherefrom, the one or more side window shapes each sized such that abottommost surface is configured to contact a top of the flange of asecond package when a bottom portion of the package is placed within thecompartment of the second package to thereby maintain a predeterminedposition within but above a bottommost surface of the compartment of thesecond package; and a plurality of wheel shapes formed in a bottomportion of the compartment and downwardly extending therefrom, theplurality of wheel shapes forming standing features configured to holdthe package upright such that the opening is positioned at the top ofthe package.
 15. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according toclaim 14, wherein the first connecting feature is a hole and the secondconnecting feature is a post downwardly formed from the rear portion ofthe flange.
 16. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according toclaim 14, wherein the compartment comprises thermoformed plastic.
 17. Areusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 16, wherein thethermoformed plastic compartment comprises a downwardly tapered shape ofthe front and second endwalls and the first and second sidewalls.
 18. Areusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 16, wherein thethermoformed plastic is selected from the group consisting of: PP(polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethyleneterephthalate), PET-G (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PVC(polyvinyl chloride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).
 19. Areusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 14, wherein thedecorative feature comprises a smiley face shape.
 20. A reusable rigidvehicle-shaped package according to claim 14, further comprising one ormore additional decorative features formed into one or more of thesidewalls of the compartment